Health Briefs: May 1

Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 7:34 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 7:34 a.m.

Transylvania Regional Hospital at 260 Hospital Drive, Brevard, will host a free estate-planning program at 2 p.m. Monday in the Carlson Conference Room at the hospital.

To educate the community, attorney Margaret M. Hunt will give a presentation titled “Four Essential Documents for Estate Planning.” She will also cover the importance of proper asset titling in conjunction with an estate plan.

Estate planning is making a plan in advance and naming who you want to receive the things you own after you die. Your estate is composed of everything you own — your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, personal possessions. No matter how large or how modest, everyone has an estate.

Registration is required for the seminar, and refreshments will be provided. Call 828-877-4777 or visit www.TRHospital Foundation.org for more information.

Blood drive May 10 at Pardee center in mall

Pardee Hospital will host a community blood drive for the Blood Connection from noon to 4:30 p.m. May 10 at the Pardee Signature Care Center in the Blue Ridge Mall.

In order to donate blood, a person must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and not have donated blood in the past 56 days.

Walk-in donors will be accepted, but those with appointments will be seen first. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and two movie passes.

To make an appointment, call the Pardee Health Education Center at 828-692-4600.

Qigong classes will be on Wednesdays

Ongoing lessons in qigong (chi kung), an ancient Chinese wellness system to strengthen the immune system, are taught at 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall at Kanuga and Price roads in Hendersonville.

Qigong consists of a series of slow and gentle movements.

There is no impact and no sweating. Among its many health benefits are lowering of blood pressure, improved circulation, better balance, flexibility, deeper breathing, sounder sleep, improved concentration, quieting of the mind, and lifting of the spirit. Newcomers are always welcome and are asked to attend an initial 4:15 p.m. qigong orientation at the first visit.

There is no charge for any of these classes. An optional $4 donation is appreciated and all goes to local charities.

Call Bob and Fran at 828-393-0805 for more information.

Park Ridge blood drive set for May 15

Park Ridge Health, in partnership with The Blood Connection, will host a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 15 on mobile units near the Emergency Department entrance. All employees and community members in good health are invited to give as long as they are at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and haven’t donated blood for 56 days. Everyone who gives will receive a free T-shirt and two movie tickets.

The Blood Connection encourages donors to drink plenty of water and eat a hearty meal before donating blood. Appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, call 855-774- 5433.

ASHEVILLE

CarePartners schedules events

CarePartners has scheduled the following events:

u 9-10 a.m. Thursdays, beginning May 23: A 12-week Balance for Life Tai Chi for Arthritis class in Seymour Auditorium on the main campus, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. The cost is $120 for the full 12 weeks. The class is suitable for people of all levels and ability and is designed to increase flexibility and muscle strength, reduce pain and stiffness, improve balance, decrease blood pressure and boost the immune system. Call 828-274-9567, Ext. 8379, for more information.

u 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 29: Free Speech, Language and Memory class in Seymour Auditorium. The speech/language pathology presentation will focus on voice and swallowing, how to maintain a healthy voice and good swallowing capabilities as you age. The class also will teach about abnormal changes in memory for the aging brain and what you can do to have optimal cognitive abilities. Lunch will be provided. To register for the free class, call 828-277-4800, Ext. 8379 or email at LChase@CarePartners. org.

u 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, beginning July 8: CarePartners will offer a series of six postpartum classes. The classes are for women who are six weeks to one year postpartum and are designed to provide a supportive educational experience for a woman’s transition to motherhood by emphasizing wellness, injury prevention and return to self. The classes will also help improve a mother’s ability to care for her baby through the toddler years by caring for her body. It will be taught by physical therapists and a certified yoga instructor. The cost is $120 for the series, and participants are asked to sign up in advance. Call 828-418-1050 for more information.

Commission honors Pardee cancer center

The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee has been honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

Established in 2004, the commission’s Outstanding Achievement Award is designed to recognize cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. A facility receives the OAA after an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor, during which the facility demonstrates a commendation level of compliance with seven standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program and also receives a compliance rating for the remaining 29 standards.

“Speaking for all of the individuals involved with the Comprehensive Cancer Program at Pardee, we are excited to learn of our facility receiving the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in cancer services,” said Dr. Thomas Eisenhauer, chairman of the Cancer Committee at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee.

“This recognition cannot be obtained by one or two people, but is only attainable when a large number of providers consistently work together to deliver oncology services to our patients,” he said.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee offers a full range of advanced treatment and diagnostic services. Community education programs, cancer screenings, support groups and holistic patient and family support are also available.

Call 866-790-9355 or visit www.pardeehospital. org for more information.

NORFOLK, VA.

Auwarter named interim head of hospital

Tim Auwarter, formerly of Hendersonville and former director of rehab and wellness at Pardee Hospital, has been named interim president and CEO for Faith Regional Health Services.

Auwarter, who is vice president of support and ancillary services at the hospital, was appointed by the hospital board of directors and the Lutheran Community Hospital Association board of directors. Auwarter joined Faith Regional in 2012.

“Tim Auwarter has excellent leadership skills and health care experience necessary to manage the day-to-day operations at Faith Regional,” stated Dr. Dan Karmazin, a dentist who is president of the LCHA. “On behalf of both boards, I am pleased that he has accepted this interim position while we continue to move forward with our search for a new president and CEO.”

BREVARD

TRH launches electronic health record system

Transylvania Regional Hospital has launched a state-of-the art electronic health record system that will provide expanded records of each patient’s care. The launch is part of a larger Mission Health initiative to improve care across the region.

The EHR system went “live” at the Brevard hospital on Saturday. The new EHR system operates on the same computer platform as the one used at other Mission Health hospitals, allowing doctors in Brevard and Asheville to share important information about a patient’s care and medical history in real time.

“This new computer system gives us powerful tools to care for patients,” said Becky Carter, TRH’s chief operating officer and vice president of patient care. “The system records a patient’s medical history, treatments, surgeries and medical notes. The electronic health record is then available to the patient’s primary care doctor via computer to view test results and treatments as well as to other health care facilities if the patient needs to be transferred for care.”

Patients shouldn’t notice any difference in their care at TRH with the launch of EHRs, other than staff might be a little slower as they learn the new computer system.

The use of EHRs should reduce the number of duplicate tests that patients undergo, improve patient safety and allow physicians and care providers to access a patient’s complete medical history whether he is at a hospital or doctor’s office. The ultimate goal of using EHRs is to improve care for patients.

Mission Health has provided major support for the new EHR system at Transylvania Regional Hospital over the past year and half.

Mission Health plans to have all of its member hospitals on the same EHR system by the end of the year.

<p>BREVARD</p><p>Hospital to host seminar on estate planning</p><p>Transylvania Regional Hospital at 260 Hospital Drive, Brevard, will host a free estate-planning program at 2 p.m. Monday in the Carlson Conference Room at the hospital.</p><p>To educate the community, attorney Margaret M. Hunt will give a presentation titled “Four Essential Documents for Estate Planning.” She will also cover the importance of proper asset titling in conjunction with an estate plan.</p><p>Estate planning is making a plan in advance and naming who you want to receive the things you own after you die. Your estate is composed of everything you own — your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, personal possessions. No matter how large or how modest, everyone has an estate.</p><p>Registration is required for the seminar, and refreshments will be provided. Call 828-877-4777 or visit www.TRHospital Foundation.org for more information.</p><p>Blood drive May 10 at Pardee center in mall</p><p>Pardee Hospital will host a community blood drive for the Blood Connection from noon to 4:30 p.m. May 10 at the Pardee Signature Care Center in the Blue Ridge Mall.</p><p>In order to donate blood, a person must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and not have donated blood in the past 56 days.</p><p>Walk-in donors will be accepted, but those with appointments will be seen first. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and two movie passes.</p><p>To make an appointment, call the Pardee Health Education Center at 828-692-4600.</p><p>Qigong classes will be on Wednesdays</p><p>Ongoing lessons in qigong (chi kung), an ancient Chinese wellness system to strengthen the immune system, are taught at 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall at Kanuga and Price roads in Hendersonville.</p><p>Qigong consists of a series of slow and gentle movements.</p><p>There is no impact and no sweating. Among its many health benefits are lowering of blood pressure, improved circulation, better balance, flexibility, deeper breathing, sounder sleep, improved concentration, quieting of the mind, and lifting of the spirit. Newcomers are always welcome and are asked to attend an initial 4:15 p.m. qigong orientation at the first visit.</p><p>There is no charge for any of these classes. An optional $4 donation is appreciated and all goes to local charities.</p><p>Call Bob and Fran at 828-393-0805 for more information.</p><p>Park Ridge blood drive set for May 15</p><p>Park Ridge Health, in partnership with The Blood Connection, will host a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 15 on mobile units near the Emergency Department entrance. All employees and community members in good health are invited to give as long as they are at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and haven't donated blood for 56 days. Everyone who gives will receive a free T-shirt and two movie tickets.</p><p>The Blood Connection encourages donors to drink plenty of water and eat a hearty meal before donating blood. Appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, call 855-774- 5433.</p><p>ASHEVILLE</p><p>CarePartners schedules events</p><p>CarePartners has scheduled the following events:</p><p>u 9-10 a.m. Thursdays, beginning May 23: A 12-week Balance for Life Tai Chi for Arthritis class in Seymour Auditorium on the main campus, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. The cost is $120 for the full 12 weeks. The class is suitable for people of all levels and ability and is designed to increase flexibility and muscle strength, reduce pain and stiffness, improve balance, decrease blood pressure and boost the immune system. Call 828-274-9567, Ext. 8379, for more information.</p><p>u 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 29: Free Speech, Language and Memory class in Seymour Auditorium. The speech/language pathology presentation will focus on voice and swallowing, how to maintain a healthy voice and good swallowing capabilities as you age. The class also will teach about abnormal changes in memory for the aging brain and what you can do to have optimal cognitive abilities. Lunch will be provided. To register for the free class, call 828-277-4800, Ext. 8379 or email at LChase@CarePartners. org.</p><p>u 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, beginning July 8: CarePartners will offer a series of six postpartum classes. The classes are for women who are six weeks to one year postpartum and are designed to provide a supportive educational experience for a woman's transition to motherhood by emphasizing wellness, injury prevention and return to self. The classes will also help improve a mother's ability to care for her baby through the toddler years by caring for her body. It will be taught by physical therapists and a certified yoga instructor. The cost is $120 for the series, and participants are asked to sign up in advance. Call 828-418-1050 for more information.</p><p>Commission honors Pardee cancer center</p><p>The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee has been honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.</p><p>Established in 2004, the commission's Outstanding Achievement Award is designed to recognize cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. A facility receives the OAA after an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor, during which the facility demonstrates a commendation level of compliance with seven standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program and also receives a compliance rating for the remaining 29 standards.</p><p>“Speaking for all of the individuals involved with the Comprehensive Cancer Program at Pardee, we are excited to learn of our facility receiving the Commission on Cancer's Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in cancer services,” said Dr. Thomas Eisenhauer, chairman of the Cancer Committee at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee.</p><p>“This recognition cannot be obtained by one or two people, but is only attainable when a large number of providers consistently work together to deliver oncology services to our patients,” he said.</p><p>The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee offers a full range of advanced treatment and diagnostic services. Community education programs, cancer screenings, support groups and holistic patient and family support are also available.</p><p>Call 866-790-9355 or visit www.pardeehospital. org for more information.</p><p>NORFOLK, VA.</p><p>Auwarter named interim head of hospital</p><p>Tim Auwarter, formerly of Hendersonville and former director of rehab and wellness at Pardee Hospital, has been named interim president and CEO for Faith Regional Health Services.</p><p>Auwarter, who is vice president of support and ancillary services at the hospital, was appointed by the hospital board of directors and the Lutheran Community Hospital Association board of directors. Auwarter joined Faith Regional in 2012.</p><p>“Tim Auwarter has excellent leadership skills and health care experience necessary to manage the day-to-day operations at Faith Regional,” stated Dr. Dan Karmazin, a dentist who is president of the LCHA. “On behalf of both boards, I am pleased that he has accepted this interim position while we continue to move forward with our search for a new president and CEO.”</p><p>BREVARD</p><p>TRH launches electronic health record system</p><p>Transylvania Regional Hospital has launched a state-of-the art electronic health record system that will provide expanded records of each patient's care. The launch is part of a larger Mission Health initiative to improve care across the region.</p><p>The EHR system went “live” at the Brevard hospital on Saturday. The new EHR system operates on the same computer platform as the one used at other Mission Health hospitals, allowing doctors in Brevard and Asheville to share important information about a patient's care and medical history in real time.</p><p>“This new computer system gives us powerful tools to care for patients,” said Becky Carter, TRH's chief operating officer and vice president of patient care. “The system records a patient's medical history, treatments, surgeries and medical notes. The electronic health record is then available to the patient's primary care doctor via computer to view test results and treatments as well as to other health care facilities if the patient needs to be transferred for care.”</p><p>Patients shouldn't notice any difference in their care at TRH with the launch of EHRs, other than staff might be a little slower as they learn the new computer system.</p><p>The use of EHRs should reduce the number of duplicate tests that patients undergo, improve patient safety and allow physicians and care providers to access a patient's complete medical history whether he is at a hospital or doctor's office. The ultimate goal of using EHRs is to improve care for patients.</p><p>Mission Health has provided major support for the new EHR system at Transylvania Regional Hospital over the past year and half.</p><p>Mission Health plans to have all of its member hospitals on the same EHR system by the end of the year.</p>